One of the more enjoyable parts of my job is meeting other people in the children’s retail industry. I met Valerie Swift back in 2007 when she came into the store to tell us about a must-have stroller called UPPAbaby. Valerie knew what she was talking about! Now the UPPAbaby Vista is one of the most popular baby products on the market and one of the best selling strollers at Little Urbanites.
Today Valerie is the sales rep for many of our favorite brands, and I always listen carefully to her point of view on new products and happenings in the industry. Valerie owns her own small business called 2girls Marketing, and is the ”go to” person for many of our favorite products at Little Urbanites, including Aden+Anais, Medela, Oxo and UPPAbaby. We’re lucky to have her as part of the Little Urbanites team!
oxo tots Aden + Anais Medela Swing Breastpump UPPAbaby G-Luxe
What is your must-have baby product?
UPPAbaby VISTA. After 4 years, this hasn’t changed. I didn’t realize how attached to a stroller I could be.
What physical or personality traits do you see in your children that remind you of yourself?
High energy, analytical, sensitive and determined.
What’s one ecologically or socially responsible thing you do that can change the world?
Recycle, recycle…recycle.
What’s one way you find to spoil yourself?
Being a working mother with an active 4 y.o., finding a quiet space, snuggling under a blanket and losing myself in a good book is considered spoiling myself. However, a good facial is always a welcomed treat.
Is there a parenting technique (e.g. attachment parenting, the Ferber method, co-sleeping) that you have strong feelings (negative or positive) about?
Reggio Emilia and Parenting with Love and Logic. This method of parenting has been invaluable to teach responsibility, respect and good decision-making. It has also helps significantly with the stresses of parenting, especially in difficult situations since this method teaches parents how to empower their children to make good choices while still achieving the collective goal.
Describe your favorite piece of art or project that your child has made for you.
My 4 y.o. daughter made a book for me with drawings accompanied by a beautiful story about her and I smelling flowers and picking berries. There was also a lot of ice cream eating…all the things I love.
Have you read any pregnancy or childcare books that had a particularly profound influence on you?
Transition to Parenthood and Parenting with Love and Logic.
What advice do you have for new parents?
Trust yourself. You can do all of the research in the world, but a mother’s instinct is very powerful.
